EXCITING plans for a massive #30m redevelopment have been announced at Aintree Racecourse.

Directors today unveiled detailed plans of an impressive new layout set to be in place in time for 2008.

It will include two new five-storey grandstands next to the existing Queen Mother stand. They will create an extra permanent viewing facilities for 6,700 people; each will include a restaurant and bars.

Plans submitted to the council also include a permanent Aintree pavilion with public bar, catering and betting facilities for up to 10,000 Tattersalls punters.

The grand parade ring will also be relocated to incorporate the winners and unsaddling enclosures with a new weighing room above a permanent new media centre.

The famous Red Rum statue will be relocated, taking centre stage in a new entrance garden on the existing parade ring.

A new entrance will also be built to make it easier for visitors to get in, and stables will be upgraded.

Building work is due to start after the 2005 Grand National. It will stop for the 2006 event and finish in time for the big race in 2007.

The redevelopment is being paid for out of Aintree's resources, the Horserace Betting Levy board and other European and regional funding.

Making the announcement Charles Barnett, managing director of Aintree, said: "This is a very exciting redevelopment for us. We wanted to enhance the atmosphere of the racecourse. Our purpose is to create state-of-the-art facilities which will enhance the racecourse

on the world stage. We are keen to accomplish this by Capital of Culture Year, which is why we have set the deadline of 2007."

"Aintree has always been a great favourite of mine. Increasing permanent grandstand capacity must be a good idea as the Grand National meeting is so popular now and a larger parade ring and unsaddling enclosure will give more people the chance to see the horses."

A new sponsor for the Grand National - to replace Martell - will not be announced until September but discussions are under way with six potential sponsors.